INTRAW – International Raw Materials Observatory

INTRAW is a three-year international research project on raw materials. The project is funded by the European Union (EU) and was launched in February this year. Australia is represented in the INTRAW project by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE http://www.atse.org.au/), which is a partner in the INTRAW consortium, and by the AIG, which is a third party partner in the project. In its role as a third party partner the AIG will assist in disseminating information so that AIG members and the wider geoscience and resources communities are aware of the project and its outcomes.

The INTRAW project aims to map best practices and develop new cooperation opportunities related to raw materials between the EU and technologically advanced countries. The project will address:

Research and innovation;

Raw materials policies and strategies;

Joint educational and skills programmes;

Licensing and permitting procedures, royalties and tax policies;

Data reporting systems;

Exploration, extraction, processing and recycling practices;

Management and substitution of Critical Raw Materials.

The project is coordinated by the European Federation of Geologists (EFG) and brings together an international consortium of 15 partners with extensive experience in research, innovation, education, industry, trade and international networking across the entire raw materials value chain. The project partners will be actively supported by three Panels of Experts on “Research & Innovation”, “Education & Outreach” and “Industry & Trade”.

Through the EFG’s third parties – who represent the members of professional geosciences organisations in 18 European countries, the USA, Australia, South Africa and Canada – a broad global network of geoscientists will further enhance the project.
In the first two years of the project activities will include mapping best practices and knowledge transfer. The outcomes of these activities will be used as a baseline to set up and launch the European Union’s International Observatory for Raw Materials as a knowledge management infrastructure. The Observatory will be a permanent international body that will remain operational after the end of the project, and will aim to establish and maintain strong long?term relationships with the world’s key players in raw materials technology and scientific developments.

The AIG will keep members informed as the project develops, via reports in AIG News and the AIG web site.